5 unsung heroes in the history of the Ashes

Bob Massie (1972)

Bob Massie's 16/137 is still the fourth best figures in Test history.

It is indeed unfortunate that the man who took a record 16 wickets on Test debut played only five more Tests for Australia. A fast bowler hailing from Perth swung the ball monstrously and at will - and England found that out the hard way in the 1972 Ashes.

England had taken an early 1-0 lead, but Massie, on debut stunned the English batsmen with vicious out-swingers at a decent pace. He swung the ball at will en route to 8/84 and 8/53 in both of England’s innings, helping Australia to a comfortable eight-wicket win. The five-Test series was eventually drawn 2-2.

Massie’s figures of 16/137 were the best figures on Test debut before they were bettered by Narendra Hirwani, who took 8/136 in 1987-88. But his match haul of 16 wickets remain the fourth best figures in Test history.